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A lawsuit working its way through the federal court system would require state prisons to hire Wiccan chaplains. Two female convicts who practice Wicca sued the state for refusing to hire a paid full-time Wiccan chaplain and “by failing to apply neutral criteria in determining whether paid chaplaincy positions are necessary to meet the religious exercise needs of inmates adhering to religions outside the five faiths (Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Native American and Protestant),” according to an appellate court’s decision.

A federal court in Fresno, Calif., dismissed the lawsuit in 2011 after finding no violations in the women’s rights, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals brought it back to life this week by overturning the trial court’s decision. The San Francisco-based appellate court ordered the original judge to reconsider the case and determine whether state prisons unconstitutionally cater to majority religions, Judicial Watch reports.

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No doubt the wicked spirits that dwell in and around the place are dancing with glee at the news.

The only consolation is that most modern ‘witches’ are bored housewives, emo teenagers, and dumb-trend suburbanites, all following a laughably hippified version of witchcraft. Though it’s still dangerous at its core…

The solution is for the state to NOT hire any religious staff, period. If the religious needs of inmates are to be met, put out the call for volunteers. Anyone who truly has the strength of their faith would jump at the chance to minister to those incarcerated.

We are a nation founded upon religious principles, are religious in the main, but are, thankfully, free from the true evil of a single recognized religion supported by the state.

I believe that all ministers should put their money where their mouth is, and volunteer to help those incarcerated, wherever they may be within our nation.

Two female convicts who practice Wicca sued the state for refusing to hire a paid full-time Wiccan chaplain

The solution is for the state to NOT hire any religious staff, period. If the religious needs of inmates are to be met, put out the call for volunteers. Anyone who truly has the strength of their faith would jump at the chance to minister to those incarcerated. …

I believe that all ministers should put their money where their mouth is, and volunteer to help those incarcerated, wherever they may be within our nation.

TKindred on February 27, 2013 at 11:40 PM

FWIW, This is how the LDS Church handles the religious needs of incarcerated members (happens from time to time, sad to say). The local wards rotate responsibility for visiting and ministering in the prisons in that geographic area.
I know that some other Christian denominations do the same sort of thing.
Of course, we are talking about California…

FWIW, my Catholic parish’s pastor regularly says Mass for the inmates at a local prison. He does so without compensation because he is ministering to those in need. Let’s see the “Wiccans” step up and do the same. True religious ministry should not be dependent on a salary.

FWIW, my Catholic parish’s pastor regularly says Mass for the inmates at a local prison. He does so without compensation because he is ministering to those in need. Let’s see the “Wiccans” step up and do the same. True religious ministry should not be dependent on a salary.

Shump on February 28, 2013 at 7:51 AM

I’m betting that the two woman that sued have a person in mind for a full time job.

FWIW, This is how the LDS Church handles the religious needs of incarcerated members (happens from time to time, sad to say). The local wards rotate responsibility for visiting and ministering in the prisons in that geographic area.
I know that some other Christian denominations do the same sort of thing.
Of course, we are talking about California…

AesopFan on February 28, 2013 at 12:37 AM

The system could also encourage inmates to become chaplains as part of their rehabilitation.

I think that any “chaplain” hired by the prison should be interdenominational, and coordinate volunteer clergy for the prisons. Prisoners can be from all faiths or none, so you either need to hire for everybody, or just hire a coordinator and rely on volunteers for actual religious clergy.